The European Parliament,

A. concerned and alarmed at the murder of the businessman Libero Grassi by Mafia extortionists on 29 August 1991 in Palermo,

B. whereas Mr Grassi had on several occasions openly refused and called on others to refuse to pay extortion money demanded by the Mafia; whereas he had therefore become the public symbol of revolt against criminal oppression,

C. whereas Libero Grassi is the eleventh businessman killed in similar circumstances in Sicily since 1982,

D. having regard to the precarious situation of the economy and business investments in southern Italy where the Mafia has a turnover of about ECU 200 000 000 per year and with the number of businessmen forced to pay extortion money increasing by 14.7% between 1989 and 1990,

E. having regard to the serious, political, economic and social repercussions of the widespread phenomenon of organized crime in Sicily and in Europe as a whole,

F. whereas such an explosion of increasingly uncontrollable criminal violence might make it difficult for Sicily to become fully integrated in Europe and play an active part in the single market,

G. noting that the very high profits made by criminal organizations, primarily from drug trafficking, are preventing the free practice of economic activity according to market laws, discouraging investment and leading to the closure of businesses,

H. noting that fraud by organized crime throughout Europe syphons off approximately 10% of the Community budget,

1. Extends its sympathy to the family of Mr Libero Grassi and expresses its support for all those involved in the fight against organized crime;

2. Urges the Italian and Community authorities to provide all possible support for Sicilian businessmen, who are exposed to violent intimidation in the course of their work, with serious repercussions for employment; notes that this is unfortunately becoming an increasingly common problem in other areas of the Community;

3. Calls on the Commission, together with the Italian Government and the other governments concerned, to take immediate, effective steps against organized crime and in particular to abolish banking secrecy in order to stop and prevent money laundering;

4. Calls on the Italian and Community institutions to give a special undertaking to deal with the re-emergence of the Mafia phenomenon in Sicily;

5. Calls on the Community and the Italian Government to take action, while respecting the principle of the rule of law, to uphold the integrity of the political institutions under threat and the integrity of economic life;

6. Instructs its Committee of Inquiry into the Spread of Organized Crime Linked to Drug Trafficking to step up its work so that tangible results can be achieved and speedily translated into legislation;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the governments of the Member States and the relatives of Libero Grassi.